An Tandragee man, who broke into a house in Newry and assaulted the homeowner, was detained in the street in just his boxers by neighbours.
Glenn Ethan Eamon Flynn, with an address in Ballymore Park, appeared before Newry Crown Court on Thursday, charged with burglary, criminal damage, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The 31-year-old entered a house in the Drumalane Park area of Newry shortly after 11pm on September 7, 2023.
When police arrived, they saw a large crowd had gathered and Flynn was detained, lying on the ground in his boxers with no shoes on and soaking wet.
At the time, they spoke with the residents of the burgled home, who told police that they had noticed a man attempting to open the front door of their property.
He pushed his way in and proceeded to rummage in the kitchen, causing damage to multiple items, including a blood pressure monitor, television, kitchen sink, and water piping underneath the kitchen sink, which caused water to flood the kitchen.
When they confronted Flynn, he assaulted the homeowner by punching him in the head.
The victim then left the property to raise the alarm, and when he did, Flynn went upstairs, removed his trousers, and smashed another television.
Upon leaving, the defendant caused further damage to the front door before being detained by the public.
He was verbally abusive to the police when they were trying to help him and swore and shouted at members of the public. He was arrested and brought into custody, and whilst in custody, a health insurance card belonging to Dorado was found in his boxers, which he had taken from the property.
He was interviewed and said he had consumed vodka during the course of the afternoon and had no memory of the incident, adding that he had no idea why he had attended the property.
A prosecutor told the court that there was no history between the parties and “he apologised for his behaviour and stated that he was ashamed of his actions”.
The assault victim had to seek further medical assistance due to stress and high blood pressure, which “he believes is linked to trauma” from the incident.
The man’s wife has “had to attend counselling for stress and anxiety and says she continues to suffer stress as a result of this incident”.
The damage to the property was estimated to be in the range of £2,000.
Flynn’s defence barrister remarked: “When he was interviewed, he had no memory. He subsequently found out that he was supposed to be going to a house party one street over. When he was interviewed by the police, he said, ‘I’ve obviously gone into that house, and it’s a disgrace. It’s totally me, I’m not a housebreaker’. He is truly apologetic for what he has done.”
His Honour Judge Ramsey, in passing sentence, said: “Mr. Flynn, you rightly recognised that your behaviour this night was uncalled for, and there’s no history between the victims and yourself. This was a matter of which you’re truly and properly regretful, but inevitably, there has to be a custodial sentence.”
Flynn was handed an 18-month prison sentence for the assault, with nine months behind bars and nine on licence. He was also handed concurrent 12-month sentences for the burglary and criminal damage charges.
